Tennessee Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Varies by park

Public Chapter 823 of 2016 adopted the three-class system in TCA 55-8-301 to 55-8-307, and e-bikes are regulated like bicycles with no license, registration or insurance. Public Chapter 651 of 2026 (HB 1712 / SB 1782) raised the Class 3 minimum age from 14 to 16, effective July 1, 2026; a younger rider may be a passenger. Class 3 riders and passengers must wear helmets at any age.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
Under 16
State parks
Varies by park
Moped registration
No

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in Tennessee

Tennessee rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1 and 2Class 1, 2NoneNoNoNoUnder 16Only where bicycles allowed, motor offYes, unless agency bars
E-bike, Class 3Class 316NoNoNoYes, all ridersOnly where bicycles allowed, motor offNo, unless beside road or permitted
Stand-up e-scooterNo state category confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedLocal ruleNot confirmed
Seated e-scooter (moped)Motorized bicycle: under 50 cc15 (restricted license)YesNoNot confirmedYesNoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1 and 2. Roads where bicycles allowed
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Cities set rules
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Any driver license; no endorsement

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; must meet 16 CFR Part 1512; motor cuts out when brakes are applied or a switch is released; speedometer on Class 3; no modification of speed without relabeling.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Local governments may regulate or bar Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on paths and trails for safety and may restrict e-bikes on roads as they do bicycles. Public Chapter 651 of 2026 requires cities that restrict e-bikes on park paths or greenways to file the ordinance with the Department of Safety, which publishes a statewide list.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Tennessee

Under TCA 55-8-306, state agencies may regulate or bar Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on paths and trails, and Class 3 e-bikes are barred from paths unless the managing agency permits them. A Tennessee State Parks e-bike rule was not confirmed from an agency source; one secondary source reports e-bikes are barred from park trails.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1 and 2
TCA 55-8-301 to 55-8-306; 55-52-105; Pub. Ch. 823 (2016)
E-bike, Class 3
TCA 55-8-305, 55-8-307; Pub. Ch. 651 (2026)
Stand-up e-scooter
not confirmed
Seated e-scooter (moped)
Dept. of Safety Motorcycle Operator Manual
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Tennessee State Parks e-bike rule; no state e-scooter statute confirmed; moped insurance rule; full text of Public Chapter 651
Last verified
Q4 2026